Thyroid Cancer

Accuracy of FNA Question Is a fine needle aspiration (FNA) sufficient to diagnose thyroid cancer or do should I have a biopsy of the nodule? Answer Kolin Hoff, MD, Endocrinologist at Penn Medicine responds, In most cases FNA can diagnose malignancy or at least a...
Chance That Surgery Could Find Benign Tumor Question I am having surgery for a thyroid cancer found with a biopsy but I read online that they could do the surgery and find out it is benign. Is that really true? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine responds: The accuracy of the...
Diet After Thyroid Surgery Question What kind of diet do I need to follow if I had surgery for thyroid cancer or have a recurrence of thyroid cancer? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine responds, Thyroid cancer surgery does not require a specific diet. You are...
Difference Between T3 and T4 Thyroid Hormone Question What is the difference/what should I know about T3 and T4 thyroid hormone? Answer Kolin Hoff, MD, Endocrinologist at Penn Medicine responds: Most people only need T4. A few people may be better if they also take T3. T3 is difficult to...
Follow Up & Monitoring for Recurrence Question If I had surgery to remove my thyroid and cancer, can it come back? How will my doctor know if my thyroid cancer comes back after I finished all my treatments/procedures and things seem ok? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine...
Importance of Low Iodine-Diet Question If you mess up your low-iodine diet will the treatments be less effective? I am so stressed out about this diet! Answer Marcia Brose, MD, Director of Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Program at Penn Medicine responds, Yes! So if you have...
Iodine and Iodized Salt and Cancer Risk Question Is it better to have a diet with or without iodine products to prevent thyroid cancer? Does using iodized salt increase your risk of cancer? Answer Kolin Hoff, MD, Endocrinologist at Penn Medicine responds, Iodine deficiency increases...
Life After Thyroid Cancer Question Can you give me some advice on getting on with life after someone has gone through thyroid cancer? I feel like I just don’t fit into my life anymore. I am always worrying about my cancer coming back. Answer Michelle LeBeau, Thyroid...
Partial Versus Total Thyroidectomy Question What is the difference between a total thyroidectomy and a partial thyroidectomy? What are the side effects of each? Where will the incision be made, how large will my scar be? Do I need a plastic surgeon? How long will I be in the hospital...
Radiation Exposure Only Cause of Thyroid Cancer? Question Is it true you can only get thyroid cancer if you had some exposure to radiation? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine responds: Unfortunately, that is not true. Radiation is a risk factor for thyroid cancer however, MOST...
Radiation Exposure Only Cause of Thyroid Cancer? Question Does getting thyroid cancer have to do with a history of it in your family? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine responds: Some thyroid cancers are associated familial cancer syndromes. Those are unusual. Most thyroid cancers...
RAI After Surgery for Recurrent Thyroid Cancer Question I just had my third surgery for recurrent papillary carcinoma, this time found in two lymph nodes. What are your thoughts about RAI after this round for me? My surgery was a month ago. Endo suggests reviewing my thyroglobulin level in three...
RAI Restrictions Question How long will I be hospitalized for the I-131, & what does the isolation include? When can I go back to work after the I-131? How soon after the I-131 can I have sex? How long do I need to avoid pregnancy? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD,...
RAI Restrictions With Children Question My cancer has to be treated with radioactive iodine. Does this mean I will be radioactive? Is this dangerous? What precautions should I take if I have small grandchildren in the house? Answer Kolin Hoff, MD, Endocrinologist at Penn...
RAI Side Effects Question What are the side effects of radioactive iodine? Is it always a cure for thyroid cancer? Answer Kolin Hoff, MD, Endocrinologist at Penn Medicine responds: The most common long term side effect of radioactive iodine in damage to salivary...
Support for Newly Diagnosed Question My sister was recently diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer. How can I help her? What can I do/say? Answer Michelle LeBeau, Thyroid Cancer Survivor and Founder of REACT Thyroid Foundation responds: As a metastatic thyroid cancer...
Support Organizations After Thyroid Cancer Question What are some good organizations for support of thyroid cancer patients and survivors? Answer Michelle LeBeau, Thyroid Cancer Survivor and Founder of REACT Thyroid Foundation responds: There are several organizations available for...
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer Question What are symptoms of thyroid cancer? How can thyroid cancer best be diagnosed? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine responds: Thyroid cancer is often asymptomatic. When symptoms occur, they can range from a visible mass to...
Taking Thyroid Hormone Replacement Question Will I have to take thyroid hormone pills for the rest of my life because I had thyroid cancer? When is the best time of day to take it? How does the drug interact with/ other medications I take? Answer Marcia Brose, MD, Director of...
Thyroid Cancer Awareness Question My friend was just diagnosed with thyroid cancer. How can I help raise awareness about the disease? Answer Michelle LeBeau, Thyroid Cancer Survivor and Founder of REACT Thyroid Foundation responds: I think it's great that you are...
Thyroid Cancer Specialist Question What kind of doctor do I go to if my family doctor thinks something is wrong with my thyroid? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine responds: If your family doctor believes that you have a thyroid problem. You should schedule...
Thyroid Cancer Treatment After RAI Question What happens after my cancer stops responding to radioactive iodine? Answer Marcia Brose, MD, Director of Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Program at Penn Medicine responds, There are many new agents in clinical trials and some that might be...
Thyroid Hormone Dosing Question In the last 12 months, I have gone from 125 micrograms up to 200 micrograms. Now I take 150 micrograms 4 days per week and 175 micros 3 days. Won't this adversly affect my bones? What is a comfortable dose and how can I tell if I am being...
Thyroid Hormone Replacement After Partial Thyroidectomy Question If only part of my thyroid is removed, will I still need to take thyroid hormone pills? Answer Kolin Hoff, MD, Endocrinologist at Penn Medicine responds, IF only half of your thyroid is removed and you did not have cancer and the...
Thyroid Nodule Question If I have a thyroid nodule, does that mean I will get thyroid cancer? If I have the nodule removed, will it come back or will cancer develop? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine responds: Ninety percent of thyroid nodules are...
Timing of Radioactive Iodine (RAI) After Surgery Question If it is cancer and I need radioactive iodine, how long after surgery is that done? And is there a sort of time limit to how long you can wait and it still be helpful? Answer Kolin Hoff, MD, Endocrinologist at Penn Medicine responds: In...
What is the Thyroid? Question What exactly does the thyroid do and what will happen if I have to have it all removed? What changes can I expect for my body/life if my thyroid has to be removed? How will it affect me? Answer Kolin Hoff, MD, Endocrinologist at Penn...